I don't own Race to Witch Mountain or Star Trek
Chapter Three: Scolding
(Seth point of view, third person)
Seth stood up, trembling. He glanced at Jack nervously and Jack motioned with his head for the two of them to get going. "Let's not forget about your appointment," he urged. "Make it quick, please. You can eat along the way."
Seth sighed. He didn't want to do this. He headed to another room, Sara tailing behind him, and when he opened the door it seemed as if he was back on his planet. He was well familiar with the technology. It was more detailed than a hologram and it looked as if you were really where it showed. It was like a portable holodeck from Star Trek.
He glanced at his parents, and then shut the door. They looked at the two of them gravely. Finally, Emily began. "Jack informed us as to what you didn't tell us." Seth nodded. He was worried more than ever now. Emily looked down and then looked up at them again. "How long has the pain been going on?"
The boy looked at his sister. He shifted uncomfortably. "For a while," he admitted.
"And how long's a while?" Jared asked.
"About a year," Sara nervously replied.
"And it started since returning from Witch Mountain? Jack told us that you had told him that you thought it was because you were experimented on there. Is that correct?" Both of the siblings nodded. Emily sighed. "This is what I was afraid of! This is why I didn't want you to return! You should have told us about this!"
"Mom!" Seth pleaded. "This is why we didn't want to tell you. We were afraid you would act like this! We want to see Jack and Alex! They're our friends!"
"But you barely know them!"
"Are you saying you don't trust them?" Sara asked. She needed to know and they were too far away for her to read their minds.
"No!" Emily began wildly, frantic and worried.
Finally Jared stepped in. "Emily," he began. His wife took a deep breath and calmed down. Then he turned to the kids. "Your mother's right. You should've told us. And we're not saying we don't trust Jack and Alex. We trust your judgment there. Since they're a friend to you, they're a friend to us. But what isn't okay is where you concealed things this important from us."
Emily stepped in again and the boy tensed. "They're good people, we can tell." She smiled at her children. "I'm sorry I panicked before. It's just, well; we've been to earth many times before. We may not have interacted with anyone, and certainly not on the level that you have, but we've heard the news reports before. It's commonplace for humans to go missing all the time. We just don't want you to be kidnapped."
Jared frowned. "And it causes us worry that you have said yourselves that you were once captives."
"How much have they told you?" Sara asked cautiously.
"Everything you told them. Plus, when we asked them if they knew what Henry did to you, they informed us that they didn't know. But before they were able to rescue you they saw that the two of you were being experimented on. But they don't know what they were doing to you. They were more focused on getting you out of there."
Seth started shaking a bit. He didn't want to remember. "How much trouble are we in?" Seth asked, nervous.
"A lot," his mom scolded. "We've decided that once you two have taken care of what you need to do then you'll have no free time. You're not to do anything fun."
"But-" protested Sara. They were here on earth not only to spend some time with Jack and Alex, but they had volunteered to observe earth culture for their government (although that wasn't required). This would interfere with it! And she wanted a good report to give, a detailed one!
Jared shook his head. He seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "The report can wait." He sighed. "I want to talk to Jack and Alex again."
The two hung their heads and nodded. Then they went outside. Jack was waiting. "They want to talk to you and Alex," Seth informed them and Jack nodded. He summoned his wife and Seth and Sara went to finish breakfast.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they came out. "You're grounded," Jack said. With a confused look, Jack explained, "The punishment they talked about? We call it grounding." The two nodded in understanding. Then Jack added, "They said they'll be coming over a week early, so you'll have three weeks alone with us. They're coming early as part of your punishment. Also, you're grounded for three days. Then you can do something fun. But until then, unless it's necessary, you're to stay in your room. We'll be sending meals up."
"They also said we can tack along any punishments we see fit, whenever something like this happens again," Alex said. "So Jack and I have decided that we want you both to write a letter explaining what you did is wrong and why it's wrong, and how dangerous it is. You'll be writing it on your final day of being punished. We'll send you some paper up to do that. We'll look at it, and if we're satisfied, we'll have a talk, and then you're free to go. But we want you both to think about what you did. Also we're to keep an eye on you and you need to tell us if you have another pain attack. We'll have to let your parents know when that happens so we can keep track of it."
The two nodded. "Finishing eating," Jack told them. "We'll be leaving in fifteen minutes. With things like this, it's better there early than late."
Seth sighed. This was going to be a boring three days.
Okay, this will be my last chapter for the night. I plan on getting Henry Burke in here, but it probably won't be until at least a couple chapters. Before introducing him, I want a chance for the kids to get their legal documents, appear before the press, and have a not so ordinary life as they end up celebrities. Oh, I guess the paparazzi will be in this story; they'll be more than mentioned. Seth and Sara won't have an average life after all. And the paper they were doing was on the average life of an earthling! Guess they'll have to change it to the average life of an earth celebrity!
And since I looooovvvvve spoilers I'll give you some. I don't mind doing that! The kids will be going to school (more like trying to go to school since their celebrities; that'll be interesting) they'll develop a fan base, they'll find it hard to cope at first, and then the paparazzi attacks will die down. Then they'll get a chance to calm down and live a close to normal life. Hmmm. I wonder what will happen when earth finds out that aliens will visit them. And no, this won't end up like in V. Maybe they'll end up loving the kids. These kids are of peace. Always. (Little pun on V. No I don't own the phrase but it fits. Unlike Anna's 'We are of peace. Always.' 'Cause she's not of peace. And is Marcus fifth column (if you watch V feel free to tell me what you think, especially after last episode?) Huh, I wonder if Lisa just made a mistake by telling Marcus Dianna is still alive. Never mind my chatter. I'm getting off track again.
And Henry Burke will confront them in public. That will get interesting.
Read and review, please!
